The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-10-23

as his father and grandfather had been before
him.
"'Lecty will be marryin' in the Lord. too: it
seems il twas too much of a blessin',v Mis-
Lakim had said to herself
Bnt this blessing 'Lecty was unaccountably
disposed TO reject. She offered the most frivol-
Gus objections: she said Nahum wore blue yar,,
stockings. and called things interesting, as if ne
were speaking in meeting; and that he was
stingy. The Briggs family had been charged
with this latter failing from time immemoria
but Mis- Iiakim said she had lived too long to
expect perfection in human nature and twas
much better for a young nan to be prudent and
economical than to be a careless spendthrift like
some she had seen in Bloomfield Ard that re-
mark generally had the effect of shutting
Lecty up." as Mis- Liakim averred.
1t was four years since Ben left Bloomfield to
seek his fortune, and nothing had been heard
from him. He was q careless, generous fellow.
a little inclined to be wild" His mother was
daughter, but she had died wher he was baby.
The Holidays were thriftless, visionary people
Mls' Liakim ana many others had prophesied
that Ben would come to no good. He had sailed
with his father on that voyage which had proved
SO disastrous to poor Capn Isr'el, but. accord
ing to the sailors report. had left the ship at
New York. having no liking for q sailors life.
Mis- Liakim could almost find it in her heart to
wish that Capn Isr'el's savage kingdom where
he was held prisoner not a myth.
II should be willin' to have 'em let him go as
soon as Lecty and Nahum were safely married"
she said, to pacify her conscience
"Ain't you comm in to rest you q spell2"
called Miss Nancy Briggs. affably, from the
vine-sh porch where she was peeli ne apples.
1t was universally considered q high compli-
ment to Iecty that Miss Nancy approved of her
nephew's choice. for she valiantly guarded him,
rolling fearfully artificial eye, which made
gruesome her otherwise not uncomely coun-
tenance, at any ineligible damsel who might be
suspected of having designs upon Nahum and
his possessions.
Nahum might reasonably hava expected
property with his wife, she had remarked,
candidIy, to Mis- Liakim, "but says 1 TO him,
get savin' disposition and faculty and you've
got property, and the kind that won't be flung
in your face, too There's terrible resk in
marryin' nowadays, and Nahum feels it. but
want to see somebody here that won't waste
and destroy, for feel that my time TO give up is
comm SOON"
Instead of approaching the marks OF favor
which Miss Nancy bestowed upon her, 'Lecty
declared that she made her nervous because she
always reckoning what things cost, and,
also, because she could not quite outgrow the be-
lief religiously held by Bloomfield children that
her false eye could see what you were thinking
of"
Mis- 'Laikim yearned for sympathy, but she
feared that if she accepted Miss Nancy's invita-
ton she should unbosom her woes too freely to
her; il just well that Miss Nancy should
forget that there were ever any symptoms of
company keeping between Lecty and Ben
Holiday.
But she leaned upon the gate, and remarked
that it was sad, though perhaps more than
might be expected. to see Holiday in tie poor
house, and told of her escape from inspecting the
rubbish which Capn Isr'el called his sons ran
SON.
II expect that young man needs a ransom from
sin and Satan more'n from savaees," said Miss
Nancy shaking her head. 'And yet he's old
Parson Kittredges grandson he may turn out
we'll after all"
81 don't s'pose he'll ever come back here, any
way. do youl" asked Mis- 'Liakim, anxiously.
..Well. it's just like Holidays to turn up un-
expected" said Miss Nancy, with cheerful in
difference
He may be dead,r said Mis- Liakm, as anx-
iousy rs if Miss Nancy could help her to wiring
an answ from Fate
III hope don't wish he was" she said to her.
self with pang of conscience
II expect there's some wouldn't want him to
come back" said Miss Nancy. Elisha and
Adeline." she added. in answer to Mis- 'Liakms
startled look II only hope he amt took to evil
courses There was his Uncle Jeremiah, he was
q terrible drunkard you remember"
eyes. / remember" said Mis- 'Liakim. with
alacrity. "It's always broke out in the family
here and there"
well, we that amt got such things to contend
with had ought to be thankful" said Miss Nancy.
''Pm fixin Nahum out for Gineral Court. He's
takio' great interest in politics, I declare I
shouldn't be surprised if he should get to Con
yress yit. You can't beat Nahum out of any
thing he sets his mind on gettin'. Hes helpin'
sort the punkins now; he says Lysander is terri
BILE apt to be wasteful if he don't watch him."
''Well. must be goin'. Lecty, she's trimm-
10 bonnet for old Miss Fowler"
'"Lecty can turn her hand TO anything, can't
she? Jest the way used to De! What does she
,it for trimmin' nowf"
Taking her way homeward after satisfying
Miss Nancy's financial curiosity, Mis- 'Liakim
passed the field where Nahum Briggs was occu-
pied with bis pumpkins.
Long and lank, and vet almost awkwardly,
high shouldered. was Nahum, with a dark face
over which the skin seemed drawn tightly
that Lecty Tin her worst moodsl declared that
she never looked at him without thinking of q
skull; somewhat stubby beard strikingly
lighter in color than his hair, land also the OBJ
Jet upon occasion of Lecty's strongly disparag.
-
him. Otherwise be possessed the general comeli-
less of feature which distinguished the Briggs
amily, and he was. in Mis- Iiakim's eyes. as
veil favored son-in-law as any woman need
wish.
81 shouldn't wonder mite if he eh ould get to
% q Congressman. Think Of that for Lecty!
Aud you can't touch Fidely Plummer with a
EN- foot pole because her Lyddy married a Port
and tore-keeper o, dear. l hope amt grow
n worldly minded. but when anybody has fit
poverty az have. and been looked down upon
IS If couldn't see Lectv have such lot as I've
iad and Liakim was only of them that
ant seem to bring anything to pass, nine
hances out Of ten she'd be worse off with Ben
Holiday 'Lecty's got pride; she'd like the sound
Il bein' thu honorable Mis- Nahum Briggs; but
here! she's got the Saunders way Of stickn' to
notion. 1t would be just like her to live an
Id maid all her days jist because Ben Holiday
ourted her spell and then cleared Quit"
As Mis- 'Liakim entered he own humble door
ard, still struggling, faint-heartedly, to devise
ONE means or overcoming Lecty8 ooduracy,
n unaccountable commotion among her poultry
rev her steps towards the barn. /: was family
lighted and as Miss 'Liakim's eyes were failing;
he almost fell over mans figure reclining
Ipon some straw. and sprang back with cry,
Don't you be alarmed, ma'am- 1 was just
bout to take my leave. You see I've been
rinkin' some very strong tea and il never
grees with my nervous system-have to sleep
Z off"
The tramp wayworn and tattered. but
familiar in his looks struck Mis-
Liakim's eye.
She sprang to the door to open it wider and
.et more light. Mstakng her purpose the man
,ushed her roughly and hurriedly.
''You needn't go calm for help!' he said, an
rily. Il don't ask anything but to be let
lone, and you needn't begrudge heap
straw in your barn to a man that has seen
etter days"
Here! here! wait u minute. called Mis- Liza
i'm. but the man paid no heed.
''Welll well! perhaps it's better So" she
asped, sitting down, trembling, upon the meal
hest
Sat first really thought twas him! I don't
now now but what it was. do IL though when